Hockenheimring II: Qualifying report

EkstrÃ¶m ahead of Dumbreck in qualifying thriller, over 50,000 tickets
sold
The most exciting DTM-final ever becomes an absolute thriller because of
the starting grid. With the Abt-Audi TT-R, Mattias EkstrÃ¶m claimed
pole-position ahead of Peter...

Ekström ahead of Dumbreck in qualifying thriller, over 50,000 tickets
sold

The most exciting DTM-final ever becomes an absolute thriller because of
the starting grid. With the Abt-Audi TT-R, Mattias Ekström claimed
pole-position ahead of Peter Dumbreck with the Opel Astra V8 Coupé and
Jean Alesi with the AMG-Mercedes CLK. All three already announced their
ambitions of winning before the final. The two candidates for the
championship title, points leader Bernd Schneider and Christijan Albers,
only qualified in fifth (Schneider) and ninth place.

Both the 25
minutes' timed practice for all drivers as well as the
"Super-Pole", the single-lap qualifying for the ten fastest
drivers, was taking place in difficult circumstances. After rain in the
morning, the track became visibly dryer, but there was a slippery film on
the surface. On Saturday already, the new south grand stand and the
Mercedes-grand stand were fully packed. Yesterday included, over 50,000
tickets have now been sold for the final, an absolute record.

Mattias Ekström: "From first on the grid, the road to the finish is
the shortest"

This time round, he won't have to start catching up like most
recently at Zandvoort. Because this time, 25-year old Swede Mattias
Ekström clinched pole-position and explained with a simple mathematical
exercise, why he is bound to win: "From first place on the grid,
the road to the finish is the shortest." The key to success was an
error-free lap. "On the first two sectors, maybe I was a little bit
too slow, but in the Motodrom, I did everything right. That part is also
the one that suits my Audi most."

Audi-junior Martin Tomczyk also
got himself a good position in fourth place. "Today, Mattias
wasn't just the best racing driver, but also the best rally
driver," Abt's team principal Hans-Jürgen Abt said, with a
little bit of irony concerning the lay-out of the track, that makes it
necessary to integrate the run-off-areas into the ideal line as well.
Champion Laurent Aiello had bad luck in timed practice: he was just on a
flying lap as the session was stopped following an accident.

Peter Dumbreck: "I am very satisfied with second place on the
grid"

Scot Peter Dumbreck was also satisfied with second place on the grid.
"On the first two sectors, I got myself a nice advantage. But at
the Sachs-hairpin, it was very slippery. Then, the braking on the
rear-wheels of my Astra was a bit too much, and the car started sliding.
But I am still totally happy being able to start from second
place." When asked whether he would prefer rain or a dry track,
Opel's best-placed driver said: "For the spectators, I hope
for sunshine, but for me, I hope for rain, because I like a wet track and
I would surely like to win..."

Opel's motorsport director
was also happy with four Astras in the top ten: Alain Menu was sixth,
Timo Scheider seventh and Manuel Reuter tenth. "A great performance
by Peter", Volker Strycek praised. "And too bad, that Manuel
Reuter couldn't take part in the Super-Pole following his accident.
But we have proven today that our strong performance at Zandvoort
wasn't a one-off thing."

Title candidate Schneider: "I have made two mistakes in the
Motodrom"

"That was racing at its best," Mercedes-Benz motorsport boss
Norbert Haug said, who was especially happy with third place of former
Formula 1-driver Jean Alesi, who is known for his quick starts.
"Our new format with timed practice for all drivers and the
subsequent Super-Pole is unique and worth to be copied." Points
leader Bernd Schneider seemed to be just a little disappointed: "I
was running quite well, but then I made some slight mistakes in the
Motodrom and now, I am only fifth."

Dutch youngster Christijan
Albers took it quite easy that he was only ninth on the grid after making
mistakes on his Super-Pole lap. "I am only 24 years old and
therefore, I don't feel any pressure to become champion now
already," the youngster said in a cool manner. "My tyres just
didn't get to grip, so I couldn't get a good lap together.
But tomorrow is another day and another game."